Why Major in Data Science?

Organizations are increasingly relying on data sciences to make strategic decisions. With this emphasis, the field of data science is exploding, creating tremendous employment opportunities. Currently, there is a dearth of practitioners with the coding and analytical skills needed.

Forbes quotes IBM in affirming a 28% increase in the need for data scientists by 2020 (May 2017 article). Infoworld cites a median base salary of $110,000 for data science, with the field holding the top spot in terms of demand (April 2017 article). Infoworld predicts that this status will remain for years to come.

Student Testimonial

Denver Comp '19 shares why he loves the mathematics department at Eastern and his excitement about the data science major.

Why Choose Eastern?

Academic Community: Our department is a community of students who develop close and supportive relationships with one another. Faculty come alongside students as mentors to help them reach their full potential. Class sizes are small and individual attention is abundant.

Rigorous Mathematics: This program provides students with the mathematical background needed for a deeper understanding of the algorithms used.

Multiple Programming Platforms: Students will learn programming skills in C++, Python, and R.

Christian Liberal Arts Approach: The technical rigor of the program is juxtaposed with a robust university approach to Christian liberal learning. We aim to produce Christian thinkers who can engage the data science world in ways consistent with a Christian understanding of ethics and personhood.

“We are thrilled to be launching this program. The relationship between the rigor of the theoretical mathematics and statistics, with the application and prediction and finally, the programming, make this field one of the most diverse and interesting in the university.”